Could ketamine replace morphine for kids in pain?

NCT ID NCT06835504

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study compares ketamine to morphine for treating acute pain in children visiting the emergency department. Over 1,000 children with abdominal pain or broken bones will receive either drug. The goal is to see if ketamine works as well as morphine but with fewer side effects.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Ketamine hydrochloride and morphine sulphate

What this could lead to

If ketamine works as well as morphine, it could offer a safer, non-opioid option for managing acute pain in children.

What could go wrong

This is a non-inferiority trial, so ketamine might not be as effective as morphine. Side effects from ketamine are also possible.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Abdominal Pain agnosia anxiety disorder bone fracture Depression Emergencies Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Arthur M. Blank Hospital

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Children's Wisconsin

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Nemours Children's Hospital

    Wilmington, Delaware, 19803, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • NewYork Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Seattle Children's Hospital

    Seattle, Washington, 98105, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • UC Davis Children's Hospital

    Sacramento, California, 95817, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15224, United States

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••